At the 55th NAACP Image Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, “The Color Purple” emerged as a dominant force, securing four prestigious accolades.
“The Color Purple” dominated at the 55th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night, taking home four accolades including outstanding motion pictures.
Colman Domingo received Image Awards for being an outstanding actor and supporting actor in a motion picture for his performances in “Rustin” and “The Color Purple,” respectively.
Fantasia Barrino was honored as Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for portraying Celie. Colman Domingo received two awards: Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in “Rustin”, and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in “The Color Purple”. Taraji P. Henson was recognized as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for portraying Shug Avery.
In addition to the film’s success, Usher was named Entertainer of the Year and received the prestigious 2024 President’s Award. This award acknowledges special achievements and distinguished public service. Notably, writer, poet, and activist Amanda Gorman accepted the esteemed Chairman’s Award, and Grammy-nominated R&B group New Edition was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. The ceremony, hosted by Queen Latifah, celebrated excellence in entertainment and cultural contributions.
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi had already won an outstanding breakthrough performance in a motion picture for portraying Young Celie at one of the pre-show ceremonies. She spoke with Variety on Saturday’s red carpet about the significance of being honored by the NAACP.
“It just feels like a belonging and a welcoming,” she said. “I have often felt like I was othered or the only Black girl in a certain space, or one of few, so to be welcomed by this community — it feels like coming home, almost.”
Her castmate Danielle Brooks, who plays Sofia in “The Color Purple,” detailed her favorite behind-the-scenes memories from the set: “Playing spades together. It’s always the dance numbers that Fatima Robinson came up with. Staying up ’til three. Also, I always had my scooter with me and Fantasia riding on the back of my scooter…I’ll never forget that.”
55th NAACP Image Awards
Below is the complete list of winners:
Entertainer of the Year at the 55th NAACP Image Awards
Usher
Outstanding Motion Picture 55th NAACP Image Awards
“The Color Purple”
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture at the 55th NAACP Image Awards
Fantasia Barrino – “The Color Purple”
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture at the 55th NAACP Image Awards
Colman Domingo – “Rustin”
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture at the 55th NAACP Image Awards
Colman Domingo – “The Color Purple”
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture at the 55th NAACP Image Awards
Taraji P. Henson – “The Color Purple”
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series at the 55th NAACP Image Awards
India Amarteifio – “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Damson Idris – “Snowfall”
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson – “Abbott Elementary”
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Mike Epps – “The Upshaws”
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Cord Jefferson – American Fiction
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Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Ava DuVernay – Origin
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Chloe Bailey – Praise This
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Keith Powers – The Perfect Find
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Swarm
Outstanding Talk Series
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Sherri Shepherd – Sherri
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Gail Bean – Snowfall
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Adrian Holmes – Bel-Air
Outstanding Drama Series
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgeton Story
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi – The Color Purple
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Youth Performance (Motion Picture)
Mila Davis-Kent – Creed III
Outstanding Social Media Personality
Angel Laketa Moore
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Phylicia Rashad – Heaven Down Here
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Don Cheadle – Secret Invasion
Outstanding International Motion Picture
Brother
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Norman Vance Jr. – “Saturdays”
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Carla Banks-Waddles – “Bel-Air”
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
Dwayne Johnson-Cochran – “Heist 88”
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Neema Barnette – “Grand Crew”
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
Dawn Wilkinson – “Power Book II: Ghost”
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
Chris Robinson – “Shooting Stars”
Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
Allen Hughes – “Dear Mama”
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie, or Limited–Series)
Leah Sava Jeffries – “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”
Outstanding Cinematography in a Feature Film
Eric K. Yue – “A Thousand and One”
Outstanding Animated Series
“The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder S2”
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Blitz Bazawule – “The Color Purple”
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
Michelle Buteau – “Survival of the Thickest”
Outstanding Guest Performance
Michael B. Jordan – “Saturday Night Live”
Outstanding Documentary (Film)
“Invisible Beauty”
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
“Brother”
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
“The Color Purple”
Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film)
“Creed III”
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
“A Black Lady Sketch Show”
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
DC Young Fly – “Celebrity Squares”
Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition, or Game Show (Series)
“Wild ‘N Out”
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
“20/20” – Kerry Washington: Thicker Than Water – A Conversation with Robin Roberts
Outstanding Children’s Program
“Gracie’s Corner”
Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series
Leslie Jones – “The Daily Show After The Cut”
Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama
“Doggyland”
Outstanding Short Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction
“I Was a Soul Train Dancer”
Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)
“Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games”
Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)
“The After”
Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
“Lil’ Ruby”
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)
Issa Rae – “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Kyla Pratt – “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder”
Outstanding News and Information Podcast
“Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams”
Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form
“Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast”
Outstanding Podcast – Scripted Series
“Yes We Cannabis”
Outstanding Arts, Sports and Entertainment Podcast
“Here’s The Thing”
Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast
“The 85 South Show with Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean”
Outstanding Lifestyle / Self-Help Podcast
“Black Money Tree”
Outstanding International Song
“Me & U” – Tems
Outstanding Jazz Album
“Brand New Life” – Brandee Younger
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard feat. Anthony Brown
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
“Father’s Day” – Kirk Franklin
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
“How We Roll” – Ciara feat. Chris Brown
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
“Sensational” – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
“The Color Purple – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – Various Producers
Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” – Jongnic Bontemps
Outstanding Male Artist
“Good Good” – Usher with 21 Savage x Summer Walker
Outstanding Female Artist
“The Journey” – H.E.R.
Outstanding New Artist
“Jaguar II” – Victoria Monét
Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
“Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion
Outstanding Album
“Jaguar II” – Victoria Monét
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
“Family Lore” – Elizabeth Acevedo
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
“The New Brownies’ Book” – Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
“Rootless” – Krystle Zara Appiah
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography
“Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement” – Dr. Tanisha C. Ford
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
“Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’” – Jarrett Hill and Tre’vell Anderson
Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel
“The Talk” – Darrin Bell
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
“Suddenly We” – Evie Shockley
Outstanding Literary Work – Children
“CROWNED: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora” – Kahran Bethencourt
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
“Everyone’s Thinking It” – Aleema Omotoni
Usher, nominated for five NAACP Image Awards, including Entertainer of the Year, will be guaranteed to go home with at least one prize after being named the 2024 President’s Award recipient.
The President’s Award recognizes special achievement and distinguished public service. Usher joins 2023 honorees Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade, as well as Rihanna, LeBron James, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Lauryn Hill and Soledad O’Brien, among others, in being awarded the prize.
The eight-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter will receive the prestigious award during the 55th NAACP Image Awards, broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16, hosted by Queen Latifah.
The NAACP previously announced plans to honor writer, poet, and activist Amanda Gorman with the prestigious Chairman’s Award during the broadcast, while Grammy-nominated R&B group New Edition will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.
“The Color Purple” dominated the Image Award nominations with a leading 16 nods and first picked up the prize for outstanding soundtrack or compilation album. On Wednesday, the all-star cast — including Fantasia, Taraji P.
Henson, Halle Bailey, H.E.R., Corey Hawkins, Colman Domingo and Danielle Brooks — was named best ensemble, while the film’s director Blitz Bazawule won the award for outstanding breakthrough creative (for a motion picture) in honor of his vision. “Survival of the Thickest” creator and star Michelle Buteau won the Outstanding Breakthrough Creative Prize for TV.
Rae, a three-time NAACP Image award winner for her hit series “Insecure,” added to her trophy case by winning a voiceover performance award for playing Jessica Drew a.k.a. Spider-Woman in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Kyla Pratt won the TV voiceover performance prize for another season voicing Penny Proud in “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.”
“A Black Lady Sketch Show” finally won the Outstanding Variety Show (series or special) trophy after two seasons of nabbing the nomination but not winning the prize. The Robin Thede-created comedy show wrapped up its run last year with 16 Emmy nominations, among them four historic wins for editing and directing.
This second round of winners — presented in variety shows, reality programming, children’s programming, short form, voiceover, and podcast categories — also included Leslie Jones (“The Daily Show After the Cut”), Eboni K. Williams (“Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams”), “Gracie’s Corner” and the Academy Award-nominated short “The After,” directed by Misan Harriman and starring David Oyelowo.
Monét received the most nominations in the recording categories, with six nominations, followed closely by Usher, who earned five nods and was the entertainer of the year.
“The Color Purple,” which dominated the overall nominations with 16, landed its first win, picking up the prize for outstanding soundtrack or compilation album. The musical movie from director Blitz Bazawule reimagines Alice Walker’s classic novel and expands on Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film and the Tony-winning Broadway musical.
“The Color Purple” soundtrack includes performances from an all-star cast, including Fantasia, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, H.E.R., Corey Hawkins, Colman Domingo, and Danielle Brooks, who was nominated for an Academy Award on Sunday.
